So, I knew I couldn't just stay there. I had to get this car back on the driveway,

I told the kids to get out and push. When that didn't work, I summoned the kids from next door to come over and push. [mother of the year]

Reluctantly, I had to tell my children to go inside and get my husband to help. This was my last resort. I knew he would not be happy about this. My armpits were doing that tingly thing when you are nervous and sweat is beading up under them. Nice.

After a few pushes, and lots of prayers from my nervous lips, the tires spun right out of the mud. Back onto the driveway.

I was petrified to look at the grass once I got out of my car.

I knew that it would not be pretty. The look on my husband's and the kid's faces showed everything.

The horror. The gasps. The head shaking.

Mortified, I tell you. I was mortified.

Merry Christmas, Mom and Dad! I have just destroyed your yard! [ And my pride right along with it.]

Have you ever felt like my tires did that day? Like, you are spinning and spinning and going absolutely nowhere?

Yes, me too.

Recently, I found myself in a similar position. Not in my car, but in my mind and heart. I just felt stuck. Spinning my wheels and seeing no way out of the spin.

When I cried out to God to help me to move out of this stuck place, He led me to a passage in scripture. IT ROCKED MY WORLD. AND IT STILL DOES. AND IT WILL CONTINUE TO.

Can I share it with you today?20 David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished. 1 Chronicles 28:20
Let me break this down for us.

Be strong.
Be courageous.
Do the work.
Do not be afraid.
Do not be discouraged.
God is with you.
God will not fail you.
God will not forsake you.
God will be with you until all the work is finished.

Can you hear the liberty bell ringing?

Can you hear my tires squealing out of that mud?

When we are stuck, we must draw on what we know. We know that we won't be stuck forever. Even though it sure feels like it.

We must also draw on our resources God has given us. My husband and children were my resources on that Christmas morning. [God bless their muddy shoes]

We must do the work, friends.

God wants to rescue us, but sometimes, many times, we have to do the work it takes. We must not be afraid of the work.

I am thinking of so many times in my life where I didn't want to do the work, but I knew I had to if I wanted to get the results that I desperately desired.

Like, when I wanted to lose all that extra weight after my pregnancies.Like, when I wanted to be obedient in my spending after too many months of credit card over-spending. Like, when I wanted to know God's Word, but didn't know where to start.Like, when I gripped my steering wheel in fear each time I dropped my kids off at school. Petrified something would happen to them.Like, when I wanted to lead a bible study but didn't feel equipped.Like, when I wanted to learn how to cook a turkey for Thanksgiving, but just the thought of it made me want to get in the fetal position and suck my thumb in a corner somewhere. [still working on this one]Like, when I wanted my marriage to be better. Like, when I wanted my children to behave and not act like heathens every time we went somewhere. Like, when I desired godly friendships that would encourage me and spur me on in being a wife and mother.
Each of these times, I had to do the work. These things didn't just "happen" because I wanted them to.

I had to put in the time, draw on my resources, and trust that God would help me get unstuck in these areas.

In this life, we will find ourselves stuck at some point.

However, we can't just sit in the mud and stay there.

We cannot throw our hands up, give up, and make up our minds that this is how it will always be.

We must set our minds to do the work. Call on some friends to push us [just like I called on my husband and children], and pray all the way through the unsticking process.

God is with you. He is for you. He has a great plan on the other side of that mud you are stuck in.

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28
Believe He has something good for you. Believe with all of your precious beating heart!

18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”[a] 19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. 20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. 22 This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” 23 The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, 24 but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. Romans 4:18-25

Thank goodness Abraham and Sarah didn't stay stuck in their sadness over not being able to have children. How different our ancestry would have been. [Romans 4:11]

Abraham and Sarah did the work. [Even at 90 and 100 years old!] They also believed. Even when all hope seemed lost. They continued to believe. They drew on what they knew...that God was faithful.

In what areas are you stuck today?

Go back and read that scripture from 1 Chronicles 28:20.

Let God whisper Hope to your heart as you read this scripture and pray it back to Him.

Sep 29, 2015

There's been a whole lot of talk lately about the end of the world. Many prophecies from the Bible are being fulfilled...even as we speak.

I have a fascination with this. It excites me to no end just talking about Jesus coming back to Earth and us getting to witness this! I cannot even imagine! What a sight this will be! I have a couple of friends that I love to talk to about this stuff. We get together and gush about the signs and wonders all over the world and how they are synonymous with scripture.

God is very clear about signs for us to look for prompting His return. However, His timing is different from ours. One day to God is like a thousand years, and a thousand years is like a day. [2 Peter 3:8]

So, even as I see things unfolding and God's Word being fulfilled, I must remember that only He knows when His return will be. [Mark 13:32, Matt. 24:36]

One thing I do know for sure though, is that scripture warns us to be prepared. "Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. "But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into." Matthew 24:42-43"Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come." Mark 13:33"But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man." Luke 21:36
We must know what we believe and Who we believe in.

If you are not sure, I want to encourage you so strongly today, to come to Christ. He tells us that we are all sinners and we all fall short of His glory. [Romans 3:23]

Jesus also tells us that we must believe in Him and believe that He is the Son of God.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

Maybe you are reading this and thinking, "umm, yeah. I got this. I am saved. I know Jesus and I love Him."

Then that is AWESOME!

Now, I want us to think of someone around us that doesn't know Jesus. Those around us that are not prepared.

Take a minute.

Picture their face.

Now, think of someone else that doesn't know Jesus in your close circle.

Do we love our family members [even distant ones] enough to share Christ with them?

Will it be uncomfortable? Probably.

My armpits are already sweating just thinking about it.

But, what if they push me away?

But, what if they yell at me?

But, what if they ask me questions I don't have the answer to?

But....

What if they come to Christ.

What if they are able to join you in Eternity on the Wonderful Day when Jesus returns.

What if God pats you on the back and says, "Well done, my good and faithful servant. Because of your faith and obedience, this person will be written in the Lambs Book of Life."

Isn't a few minutes of being uncomfortable worth the possibility of being able to see this precious person in Heaven with you?

There is a famous quote by the magician Penn Jillette, from the duo Penn and Teller. Penn is an atheist, but listen to what he says here...

“I’ve always said that I don’t respect people who don’t proselytize. I don’t respect that at all. If you believe that there’s a heaven and a hell, and people could be going to hell or not getting eternal life, and you think that it’s not really worth telling them this because it would make it socially awkward—and atheists who think people shouldn’t proselytize and who say just leave me along and keep your religion to yourself—how much do you have to hate somebody to not proselytize? How much do you have to hate somebody to believe everlasting life is possible and not tell them that?“I mean, if I believed, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that a truck was coming at you, and you didn’t believe that truck was bearing down on you, there is a certain point where I tackle you. And this is more important than that.”

**If you are like me, you had to look up the word "proselytize". It means, "to convert, or attempt to convert someone from one religion or belief to another". You're welcome. ;)

Read this part of that quote again and ponder it....How much do you have to hate somebody to believe everlasting life is possible and not tell them that?
Whew. When I read this for the first time, it knocked me over.

Picture your friends and family members that are unsaved again.

How much do you love them?

Enough to share the greatest news in all the world with them?

Why would we keep this news under wraps??

Are you challenged to do this thing? To share the good news of Christ?

Here's how we begin...

Write their names down on a sheet of paper.

Pray for those people in your mind.

Look at those names every single day.

Pray over them every single day.

After doing this for 7 days, ask God to give you an opportunity to share the good news with them.

Sep 24, 2015

Hey, friends. Can we have a little chat? I'm not too happy about something.

This "something" is bugging me in a BIG way. In fact, I am downright MAD about this thing.

As I was reading in my Bible this morning, in Zechariah to be exact, I came across something.

I had to pause, and read it again. And again. And again.

In the passage of scripture, God calls Satan "The Accuser". Here, see for yourself:

Then the angel showed me Jeshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD. The Accuser, Satan, was there at the angel's right hand, making accusations against Jeshua. Zechariah 3:1
This got me thinking of a few accusations the Accuser himself has thrown my way. Let's talk this out for a minute. Have you ever heard a little whisper inside of your head accusing you of things?

See if these words sound familiar to you...

You're a horrible mom. You're kids deserve better than you. You're not smart enough. You're not pretty enough.You're nothing special.She is so much better than you.You're too old. You're too young.You're fat and you always will be. Nobody likes you, anyway.Just keep your mouth shut, nobody really cares what you have to say. You're not cut out for this. You're a failure at everything.Your marriage is over. You may as well give up. Nobody wants you.

I could go on for days with the accusations. Even years.

I am sick to death of these LIES. Why is it so much easier to believe a lie than the TRUTH?

Here's what God says...

You are beautiful.You are God's masterpiece and perfect design.You were created for a purpose.God chose YOU to be your kids momma, and YOU are the best mom for them.You are smart because you have the mind of Christ.God has a future and a hope and a plan just for you.You are the apple of God's eye.You can be used at any age! [think about Sarah and Abraham]You are wanted. You are desired.You're marriage is Holy in God's eyes.You are oh-so LOVED.

All of these truths are backed by scripture--every last one of them. Look them up for yourselves.

Listen to what God tells the accuser in the next sentence of that scripture:

And the LORD said to Satan, "I, the LORD, reject your accusations, Satan. Yes, the LORD, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebukes you. Zechariah 3:2

Did you hear that? Read that one more time.

God, the Creator of the Universe, REJECTS AND REBUKES, the Accuser.

God calls Satan out for who he really is....a LIAR. An ACCUSER.

Satan knows God's truth will set us free. Satan knows that if we believe God, we will further God's Kingdom in a huge and mighty way. Satan knows that if we break the chains of the accusations, he will have no jurisdiction in our lives anymore. Satan knows that once we believe God's truth we will fulfill our God-appointed and God-given destinies. So, the accuser continues to accuse.

Are we believing the accusations? Are we paralyzed from these lies? Are we so chained to these accusations that we are giving up our God-given freedom and purpose on this earth?

I am sick to death of this.

The Accuser is a LIAR.

Say that with me out loud--THE ACCUSER IS A LIAR.

Will you refuse, REFUSE, to believe the lies of the accuser??

Whatever lie he has been whispering, YELL TRUTH back to him!

He has been exposed for who he really is. An accuser. A liar.

God called him out.

Will you call him out too?

Break the chains of the accusations today, and believe what God says about you.

Who created you?

Who designed you and knitted you in your mother's womb? [psalm 139:13]

Believe Him.

Believe Him.

Believe Him.

And, while you are at it, tell the Accuser to go back to HELL where he came from. The Accuser has NO authority over you anymore.

breaking some chains today,

jill

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Sep 16, 2015

Speaking of saying no...
Isn't it true that we all have the same amount of time each day?
If I am correct, we all have 24 hours in each day.
The matter at hand is how we spend this precious time.
Often, we view time as just minutes ticking on a clock. We view time as slots on our already over-loaded calendars. Sometimes when I hear of an upcoming event, my stomach goes into knots. ANOTHER thing to add to our family calendar.
When we view time as minutes, hours, and dates, we miss out on the purpose of this scripture, "My times are in Your hands", psalm 31:5.
The psalmist here acknowledges his complete and utter dependence on the Lord's time for him. He knows that although we run our lives by the clocks on our walls, microwaves, and more importantly our Iphones, we are not the one who is really in charge of our time. God is.
God has a purpose for every second we spend here on earth. Incredible, huh?
As I was folding my children's clothes about 20 minutes ago before sitting down to write this post, I thought, "Lord, this is part of my appointed time for the day, right? Even this minimal task of folding clothes is part of the day You have prepared for me."
It seems so menial, so small, and so unimportant.
But, it's not.
Even these small tasks, make up part of our time on earth. And, if you are like me, if you have a HEAP of laundry, it adds up to a substantial time!
There is many a day, probably too many, I get behind on my housework. When this happens, my house feels like it is turned upside down. I am grumpy. The kids are grumpy, and Lem is grumpy because he has no clean underwear. Umm, check the dirty clothes hamper, honey.
This shows me that taking the time out of my day to prepare for my family's needs is important. It keeps my family rolling along and without the added stress of no clean underwear in sight.
I find myself praying often, "Lord, there is so much to do! I have so many plans! I want to serve you, Lord! Please make the most of my time here! Do I really have to stay home and cook and do laundry? I want to go out and serve!!"
When I get in this mode, I am always reminded of Jesus.
He only spent 3 years in full time ministry. THREE years, yall!
There was SO MUCH TO DO.
How did He sort it all out? What did His calendar look like? How did He know when to stop in a town and when to move on?
I think we have the answer.
He knew that His times were in God's hands.
Can you imagine the demands on Jesus' time? He could not go anywhere without someone begging for a touch, a healing, a miracle. He could not escape the crowds. In fact, scripture tells us that many times He rose early in the morning to go to a solitary place to pray.[Luke 4:16] [Mark 1:35] He fervently sought His instructions and assignments from the Father.
We also know that Jesus did not have a wife or children. His life was devoted and purposed for full-time ministry.
When we have spouses and children, our ministry changes. YES, we can still serve in the mission field. YES, we can still do many things for the Kingdom of God. However, our first ministry is our homes. Which, quite frankly, is the most important.
So, if I don't learn how to say no, to listen to God's instructions and assignments, and to be obedient with my task at hand, my home ministry will fall apart.
I will have to answer my Father in Heaven regarding this. I will have to give Him an account of how I spent my time here on Earth.
[and I will count up all of those laundry loads too!!]
Friends, we all have enough time to do the things we have been assigned to do by the Father.
Our times are in His Hands. An example of just how much our time is in His hands is something that happened about three days ago. My family and I were getting off of an exit ramp. We had the green light to go and I started going. Seconds later, I see a HUGE semi-truck barreling towards us. I steadily kept going, without even hesitating. It was almost like it happened in slow motion. No panic, no fear, just peace. He missed us by seconds. Literally. As soon as it was over, it hit me what had just happened. WE WERE ALMOST DEMOLISHED BY A SEMI TRUCK. AHHHHH!My daughter and I would have been the first ones hit because the truck would have t-boned our side. The image of that kept flashing through my head. However, His peace had sustained us. No fear. No panic. Just peace. Our times are in His hands. Seconds, even.
I had a dream recently. In this dream, I heard a voice say to me, "Jill Hill, don't worry, you will get there in plenty of time and you will have plenty of time to get there."
This dream has been baffling me until now. Now, I see it was a reminder to my heart that I will fulfill my assignments here on earth, and with precisely the amount of time needed. My times are in His hands.
There is no need to be anxious about "not having enough time". We all have plenty of time. In fact, we have all the time we need.
Shortly before Jesus was crucified on the cross, He said this, "I have glorified you on the earth: I have finished the work which you gave me to do." John 17:4

Jesus had done the work He had been assigned. Nothing more. Nothing less.

The same will be true for you and I.

There will always be enough time to do the will of the Father. We just have to take the time to ask Him our assignment.

Sep 15, 2015

Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe. Proverbs 29:25

Something has been on my heart for a while. Can we talk? Woman to woman? Friend to friend?

This is all stemming from a local bible study that I am doing with some precious friends. We have been learning how to create margin in our lives. Margin creates peace and it invites God into our days, weeks, months and years. Margin allows for God's plan to shape our days instead of our own agenda's.

Creating margin can be difficult for many of us though. Margin means having to "say no" to things. To people. To opportunities.

I don't remember ever taking a class or being taught how to "say no". Except in my health class. We learned to say no to drugs. :)

Saying no can be incredibly difficult for women.

Why is this?

Why do we feel as if we lose our importance, likability, or reputation when we decline an opportunity? Why do we feel like we have to say yes to everything thrown our way?

After diving into this study and studying the Word of God regarding this matter, I believe the root of our "Yes" can be from the enemy.

I know you are thinking, "what??" What does the enemy have to do with our yes' and no's?

Let's go back to the Garden of Eden.

Satan tempted Eve to eat the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil. God had forbid Adam and Eve to eat from this tree. This was the ONLY tree that was forbidden for them to eat from.

Crafty and manipulatively, Satan lures Eve to the tree and even question's God's commands.

"You will not surely die", the serpent said to the woman. "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good from evil." Genesis 2:4-5
Oh, don't you see the manipulation? The flat out lie that Satan whispers to Eve?

You know the rest of the story. Eve says yes. Adam agrees. And the fall of man kind happens. To this very day, Eve's "yes", affects our everyday lives.

What if Eve would have said, "no"? Or at least, "Hmm. Let me pray about this decision."

Do you think the story would be the same? I don't think so.

You may be thinking, "seriously?' What does Eve eating that fruit thousands of years ago have to do with me and the decisions I make each day?

More than you can imagine.

The decisions we make affect us, our husbands, our children, our friends, our churches. Our decisions ripple to everyone around us. For the good or the bad.

Our decisions also affect the wellness of our soul.

If we don't allow ourselves margin, time, and prayer, we end up creating a big fat giant stress ball of a mess. For us and our families. We also drown out God's voice because the busyness and the noise make it impossible to hear His gentle whisper.

As I ponder this thought of saying no, I ponder the root of my own personal reasons for struggling with saying no over the years.

I find it's really easy to say no to some people, but not so easy to say no to others.

Here's what I have discovered....

The ones that are harder to say no to, I have had repercussions with after the no was given. For example: The cold shoulder, a negative remark, a disdainful look, an unwarranted opinion from them regarding my decision.

I then, due to wanting to make it better, begin to over explain my decision. Even making things up at times to make it seem reasonable that I had told them no.

Ummm. Hello. Anyone else find this to be crazy madness? I mean, we are grown women here. Why do we stammer and stutter instead of just saying our answer.

Why do we do this?

Why can't we say no with resolve and confidence?

Now let's spin this around. What about when we are the recipient of the answer "no"? How does it rattle us and affect us?

I wonder what would happen if we began to show each other grace when we receive a no.

If we have so counted on a "yes" from someone that we put the pressure on them to perform what we NEED them to do, or where we NEED them to be....we need to take a look at our hearts. Our ambitions. Our attitudes. Our expectations. Are they selfish?

What if we chose to follow this verse when we are faced with someone saying no to us...

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Phil. 2:4
How about if instead of throwing guilt on each other when we are faced with a "No", what if we said these things:I understand completely. Thank you for even considering this request. I want to honor and respect your decision. I admire that your family comes first. You do not owe me a explanation. I trust that this is the best decision for you and your family.
*And to say them with a smile on our face and gentleness in our voice. NOT in a sarcastic tone. ;)*
What would happen in this world if we as women could resolve to treat each others in this way?

What if we learned to appreciate, value, and respect each other's time enough to be able to show grace and love when we are disappointed?

Speaking of saying no....

A few months ago something came up. We were asked as a family to be somewhere. After talking to my husband about it, we gracefully declined.

However, my heart and my flesh were so so torn! I almost went against the wishes and desires of my husband and "our" decision, just to make this person happy. I was willing to risk the peace of my home, my marriage and my family, because I didn't want to tell this person "no".

I followed through with the no, and I know that I disappointed this person.

However, many times in my marriage, I have gone against my husband, just so that I would not have to tell the person asking a request "no." In my mind, that person liking me and thinking highly of me was more important than my husband's decision and wishes. Yikes.

Again, there is a pattern. My desire to be liked and my need for approval from people, came in between my marriage and my family.

The enemy is all over this, friends.

The enemy will whisper lies so subtly into your sweet ears that you will find it difficult to know the difference between a truth and a lie.

He will say things like:"you are not a good friend if you don't do this""you know they will be upset with you if you say no" "you don't have a good enough excuse to back out, so you may as well say yes" "you are not a good momma if you don't do what everyone else is doing with their kids""people will pat you on the back and tell you how wonderful you are for taking on this task""people will think you are super-mom if you add this to your already full plate""you are lazy and need to be involved in more things, so you need to say yes"

And the lies go on. And on. And on.

Do you see the common thread here? Satan is an accuser. He tells you things that are contrary to God's Word.

Don't fall for his tactics.

How do we do this?Go to His Word. Read the book of Proverbs. Pray. Be thoughtful in your decisions. Sleep on it. Pray through it. Seek wise counsel before making commitments. [if you are married, seek him first!]

And, if we are on the other end of that decision...the one asking....

Let's remember to be supportive if we receive a "no". It is okay to be disappointed, but that should not affect our kindness and grace that we show in response.

If we really are to have other's interests at heart above our own, as scripture says, we must be intentional about our grace. Intentional about the words that come out in response to our disappointment.

Sep 14, 2015

"Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man." Mark 1:41

As I was reading in my Bible over the weekend, I came to a passage of scripture. It's not a new scripture to me, I had read it several times before. However, this time the Lord gave me new insight into this particular passage. Don't you just love how He does that? The Bible is always fresh, always breathing a timely word into our hearts.

The passage is from Mark 1:41-45.40 Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”41 Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” 42 As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed. 43 And He strictly warned him and sent him away at once, 44 and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”45 However, he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the matter, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter the city, but was outside in deserted places; and they came to Him from every direction.
This leper that approached Jesus was the scum of the earth to the people around him. He was dirty, diseased, and contagious. This leper had nothing to lose and everything to gain from approaching Jesus. Can't you just picture him crumpling at the feet of Jesus? Head bowed, begging for Jesus to "make him clean.

I can hardly type the words through tears. Haven't we all felt like this leper? Dirty, broken, sinful, hopeless, unworthy.....

Yet, by this leper's faith he fell to his knees in humility and asked Jesus, "are you willing?"

This man knew that Jesus could. He just didn't know if Jesus was willing.

Gosh, go and catch your breath on that.

The faith of this leper. The humility of this leper. The desperation of this leper.

Now listen to this next part....

41 Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.”
Jesus was moved with compassion. In fact, my NIV Bible right here in front of me says that Jesus was "filled with compassion".

What does this tell us?

Jesus could have just spoken the words, "you are healed", and went on his merry way.

However, Jesus, the Son of God, was filled with compassion for this man. He felt every ounce of pain and suffering that this leper was experiencing.

Now, what happens after Jesus is filled with compassion?

Jesus then touches this leper.

Catch your breath again.

This leper had probably not been touched in months, possibly years. Yet, the Perfect, Immaculate Son of God, takes His hand and touches this unclean man.

Then, as the scripture reads, the leper is healed.

As I recounted this passage to my children in the car this morning, I challenged us to act on our compassion. Just like Jesus did.

It's not enough to just have compassion, and walk away. We MUST let our compassion move us to to action.

What do we say when someone around us is hurting, hopeless, sick, lost? Do we silently pray for them and walk away? Or do we go, touch them, and let our compassion move us as it did Jesus.

I desperately want to do the latter.

What good is our compassion if it doesn't move us to act?

Who in your life needs a touch today? A word of encouragement, a helping hand, a listening ear?

Or maybe it's someone living on the street. Maybe our compassion will move us to give them food, buy them a blanket, give them some money. Maybe even give them a touch, or even a hug. As much as those around us need to hear about Jesus, let's first show them Jesus.

This world is falling apart at the seams. We knew this would happen, it says so in many books of our Bible. Ezekiel, Daniel, Matthew, Revelation...just to name a few. Yet, we act surprised when we see disturbing things on the news and in or twitter & Facebook newsfeeds.

When we hear devastating news, we shudder, we worry, we grip our lives with both hands and try really hard to protect ourselves and our loved ones.

All the muscles in the world cannot hold tight enough to the plans and purposes of God. We must let go, and relinquish our trust and faith to God.

Easier said than done, right?

Fear can grip even the most faithful heart and rip it to shreds in five seconds flat.

The irony of fear is that it is false. It is a tactic of the enemy to divert us from God's Truth and God's reality.

Fear takes our eyes off of God.
Fear causes us to hold tighter to the things of this world instead of releasing them to God.
Fear paralyzes our actions so that we are not able to fulfill God's purposes and plans for us.
Fear makes us question the sovereignty and goodness of God.

Fear and I have had many battle rounds. I have been knocked out cold in the ring by fear more times than I care to remember.

Until one day, I read Psalm 91 in the Bible. The first time I read it I cried. I cried because I wanted to believe it was true. I cried because as much as I wanted it to be true, I wasn't sure it was.

How can God promise me this? I look around and see such devastation and sorrow and pain....how can God assure me that I will be unharmed?

Take a look at one of the last lines of this Psalm: "He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation."
God never says we won't face trouble, He says "I will be with him in trouble."

God then goes on to say that "He will deliver him and honor him."

And further.."With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation."

So, what about those whose lives have been cut short? Great and godly men and women of God? We have to remember to keep things in God's perspective. Eternity is His perspective. We tend to look at life in the temporal. These men and women [and all believers] will have eternity--long life in which they will be satisfied with His salvation. Wow!

If we think this life is IT for us, we need to re-evaluate our faith. This life is only a stepping stone into our life with Christ. The decisions we make today will affect our future in heaven. Of this we can be sure.

When we choose to live in fear, we are choosing to deny God's Word and His Truth. We are choosing to believe what our eyes see instead of what our faith knows. "We are to live by faith, and not by sight." 2 Corinthians 5:7
Prayer is the knockout for fear. Prayer keeps the enemy of fear away and will continue to as long as it's being spoken from our lips.

Prayer combined with God's Word is the formula for defeat. Fear does not stand a chance with this deadly duo.

I have a precious friend. She has a special needs child. Every time I look into the eyes of this child I see the plans and purposes of God. I envision what he will be like in Heaven. I envision him sitting at the feet of Christ praising God all the days of his eternal life. I envision his body being free from physical disabilities. I can just see him running around God's Kingdom clothed in white linen declaring the glory of God! What a sight that will be! I can hardly wait!!

I know this to be true, because God's Word tells us that His Ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts .[Isaiah 55:8-9] He has a purpose and a plan even in the things we cannot understand. [Romans 8:28]

"For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-- all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.…" Colossians 1:17

So, what do we do now?

In our lives at this very moment--sipping our coffee, scrolling our news feed--- what are we to do?

Get to know God in His Word. We cannot trust someone we do not know. Spend time every single day getting to know God. You will be amazed at what He shows you!

Pray. Never stop praying.

Defeat fear with Truth. Memorize scripture. If you don't have a good memory [I can relate], write scripture down on notecards and keep it with you at all times. Get it out and repeat it out loud when fear comes.

I know I sound like a broke record most days. I apologize for this. Love me anyway. I am just so very passionate about God's Word and us knowing it, believing it, and living it. Our very lives and the lives of others desperately need the Power of His Word! We cannot keep our mouths shut any longer if we truly love others!

Sep 9, 2015

May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us-- yes, establish the work of our hands. Psalm 90:17

Oh, y'all. It has been a month, actually 41 days--but who's counting, since I have written to you. School started, schedules changed, and this is the first time I have turned on my computer since July 30th.

For the last 41 days, I have had zero desire to write. Zero. It's not because I didn't have plenty to say, I just didn't have the energy to stop, turn on the computer, sit down and write.

I found the energy today.

For the last several weeks I have lamented to friends that I have lost my desire to write. It has burdened me. In a big way. I cried to my friends, and asked them to pray for my desire to come back.

I talked and talked and talked. Analyzed and analyzed and analyzed. What is my problem? Why do I not want to write?

Eventually, I came to the conclusion that I was taking a Sabbath break from writing. I needed a refreshment, a renewal. I needed some margin, and taking a break from writing was one of those margin makers.

So, this morning, I was having my time with Jesus. I kept thinking {again} about how much I missed writing. I grabbed my journal, opened it, and penned a letter to the Lord telling Him to please give me the desire to write again.

He gently reminded me as I was writing, "You are writing, child. You are just using a pen instead of a computer keyboard."

Oh. Oh yeah.

I was writing, and I had been all along. Just in my journal instead of on this blog.

My gift was still being used, just in a different way for the past 41 days.

I took the kids to school after my journaling and quiet time, and I could NOT wait to get home and write a blog post. I am not kidding.

Something changed or clicked, or something. My desire was back. Perhaps it never left!

Perhaps, it was the simple act of asking Him to give me that desire back instead of trying to figure out why it left. Are you following me?

How many times do we over-think things, cry to friends, turn things over and over in our heads, when all along Jesus is beckoning us to just ask Him!

Many times we are ruled by our feelings. "I don't feel any love for him anymore", "I don't feel like being nice", "I don't feel like telling the truth", "I don't feel like reading my bible".

Maybe we should ask Him to renew this desire that we lack.

Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

If we waited for our feelings to kick in, we would never live the life God purposed us to live!

Our feelings are not our compass. God is.

Your word is a lamp for my feet,a light on my path. Psalm 119:105

Our feelings get us into trouble. We must override our feelings with God's Truth, God's Word, and God's love. We must learn to die to self, and die to our feelings.

"Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." Luke9:23

God will never force us to do something. He simply invites us. We find His will for us in His Word, and we choose to do them or we choose to not. This choice is not based on feelings but on obedience, and the desire to do His will above all else. There is no joy beyond His way and His will for us. We will spend a lifetime searching in other places. However, no joy will be found outside of the way and will of God.

What do you desire? What is your heart set on? Does it line up with scripture? If so, pursue it with all of your beating heart! It may look different than you planned, but anything submitted to the way and will of God will produce fruit and so much JOY!

Are you discouraged? Maybe like me, you have lost your desire for something. Quit mulling over it and talk to God about it. You may just need to override your feelings and go the way of God instead of the way of your feelings.

Decide today to do something.

Maybe you decide to love your husband.
Maybe you decide to forgive someone.
Maybe you decide to commit to reading God's Word.
Maybe you decide to take charge of your health.
Maybe you decide to show kindness.
Maybe you decide to encourage someone.
Maybe you decide today to pursue that dream lying dormant in your heart.

Let's quit letting our feelings determine our destinies. Even simpler, let's quit letting our feelings determine our days, hours, and minutes. They sure can suck up a lifetime if we are not careful.

I want to know what you are deciding to do today. Will you leave a comment letting me know? You can be post as anonymous if you are shy. I just want to pray for you and encourage you in your decision to "just do it!"

About SHINE

SHINE girls want to spread the gospel of JESUS CHRIST by SHINE-ing bright for all of the world to see! When we read His Word daily and hold each other accountable, we are walking closer and closer to His Light. Come SHINE with us!